Washtenaw County honor guard holds service for Vietnam veteran who died homeless

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor NewsKen Rogge of the Washtenaw County Honor Guard presents an American flag to Barbara Sherwood, sister of Robert Baker Jr., during a funeral service for Baker at Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti on Thursday.

"He is a classic example of an individual that was never able to transition back." - Mark Lindke, director of the Washtenaw County Veteran Services, speaking of homeless veteran Robert Baker.

After hearing of Baker's death, Lindke made sure he got a proper military sendoff. Lindke said Baker, whose body was discovered Aug. 18, died of natural causes from heart failure.

"Here is just another casualty of the Vietnam War. It just took a few more years to run its course," Lindke said.

Baker, 64, was buried in the Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti next to his father, Robert N. Baker Sr. Both were sergeants in the U.S. Army. The father, who served in World War II, died in 2005. His son served in the Vietnam War, where he was given a combat infantry badge.

Baker, a graduate of Ypsilanti High School, was found in a small wooded area behind a Marathon gas station on Washtenaw Avenue.

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor NewsThe Washtenaw County Honor Guard presides over the funeral services for Robert Baker Jr.

Pittsfield Township Police Sgt. Hank Fusik said a Burger King employee was walking through the woods to an apartment when he saw Baker on his mattress. The employee said, "Hi Bob. How you doing?"

Baker didn't respond.

Fusik went there as soon as he heard a homeless man was found dead. He wrapped Baker's body in a clean white sheet and put Baker's University of Michigan hat on him. Fusik, who served in the Army, wrapped Baker in another blanket and put him on a gurney.

"A lot of people knew of him," Fusik said. "The sad fact of life is they are sewn right into the fabric of our community. You get to know them."

Fusik said he's seen Baker around the township for years, and others have said Baker was homeless for at least 25 years.

"You don't know what demons he brought back with him," Fusik said. "What caused him to be homeless?"

Fusik said Baker told people he was a recipient of the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

But Lindke said Baker's military records don't support that. Lindke said Baker served as a "ground pounder." He saw combat in Vietnam during his 15-month tour, although Lindke didn't know what part of Vietnam or what battles he may have been involved in. He was honorably discharged.

There's no clear record of what happened to Baker after his tour in Vietnam.

About eight years ago, Lindke was able to get Baker involved with the county's project outreach team. Baker was deemed eligible for pension benefits and health care. He was classified as permanently disabled, but didn't take advantage of it.